Winward engineering About us
Winward Engineering Our Capabilities
Aerospace metal fabrication
Scientific Laboratory
Laser Cutting
Architectural Metal spinnings, metal pressings, metal fabrication
Metal beds, metal bed components
Winward Engineering Contact us
T: 01922 744 645
F: 01922 744 646

Metal Spinners, Metal Pressing, Laser cutting & Fabrication

Metal Spinners for over 65 years....

Winward engineering have over 65 years experience in metal spinning and our ISO 9001:2008 certification ensures quality and traceability. We are metal spinners of all types of metals from mild steel, stainless steel up to 10mm thick, copper, aluminium, brass, Alloy 600/601, tantalum, beryllium to specialist metals such as titanium, zirconium and inconel to name a few.

Winward service a large variety of industry sectors such as Aerospace, Automotive, Food Processing and Scientific. We undertake both large batch and small batch runs and are metal spinners of a large variety of sizes up to 2.25m diameter.

Winward operate a range of metal spinning methods including hand metal spinning, hydraulic metal spinning, shear forming and flow forming. Our wide range of existing tooling enables us in many cases to keep tooling costs to a minimum. We can in some cases modify, clean or rectify the exhisting tooling to suit customers new tooling requirements where possible.

Should your specific component require new tooling Winward can produce this for you in house where possible, giving you the best value.

           

winward engineering ltd. are highly proficient in producing prototype components with much experience dating back during war time to sample the british army for one-offs where needed.

We regularly produce these small batch component runs for all sectors of industry especially the Aerospace and Automotive, where components need to be proved out before going into full production. With our vast knowledge and expertise within this field we can aid you in the right way to manufacture your completed part.

           

Where high quality metal spinning and metal fabrication is a must then Winward is the answer. We can offer over 65 years experience with an enviable pedigree.

If you would like further information on our services then please contact us.

Click on the picture below to see how the metal spinning CNC's do it!..
click here to see metal spinning
Design Considerations for Metal Spinning
Winward engineering ltd. will work with you to optimize your design for the metal spinning process. Feel free to CONTACT our staff if you have questions during your design phase. This is the best time to consider winward engineering ltd.as your spinning source as we can communicate our unique capabilities and how they can be brought to bear upon your new design.
For general information purposes we will cover a few basics here:

Shape:
Metal Spinning is limited to concentric or round shapes. Whenever possible, design parts that increase in diameter as the depth increases. Radii can be no smaller than 2X material thickness. Whenever possible design the diameter greater than or equal to 2X the overall depth of the part. (A hemisphere would be an excellent example of a part that has a diameter twice the depth) While it is possible to exceed this ratio, in some cases significantly, this will create the most cost effective parts.

A wide variety of steps and or radii can be produced. Steps or strengthening ribs can be designed into parts. This often allows thinner, and more cost effective, material to be used while maintaining part strength and functional requirements.

Reverse angles (where the diameter decreases with the depth to the open end) can cause difficulties and will certainly add substantial costs in both tooling and processing times. The reverse angle prohibits the part from being stripped from the mandrel.

Shaped spinnings..
Diameter and Material Considerations:
winward engineering ltd. can produce parts up to 96”(8ft) in diameter and .375” in thickness. Since we operate powerful CNC controlled and hydraulically actuated lathes we can produce parts from Stainless Steel, Red Metals, and some Aerospace alloys that work harden very rapidly. We also produce parts in Carbon Steel, Coated Steel, and Aluminum. Since the metal spinning process works the material more than some processes we suggest that most powder coating, painting and plating be performed after spinning. It is possible to spin galvanized and galvannealed materials without significant thinning or flaking of the coating.
Cone spinning...
Piercing Holes and Slots:
In many cases parts need to have holes, slots, or indentations so that other parts can be joined to them with fasteners. winward engineering ltd. operates CNC controlled turret presses which can produce numerous holes, hole sizes, and in precise patterns in a single operation. This is a very efficient and cost effective method. We also operate punch presses, beading and trimming machines, and brake presses that enable us to punch holes, and bead or brake flanges after spinning the part to its final dimensions.
Sample of peircings...
Tooling:
Tooling for Metal Spinning is inexpensive compared to stamping and hydroforming dies. Typically the savings are 75% - 90%. winward engineering ltd. Produces all tooling in-house out of wood, tool steel, or composites. We often use old tooling and re-form it for our customers saving.
tooling...
Tolerances:
Metal Spinning is not a close tolerance process when compared with CNC machining and forming processes. However, with the advent of CNC controls we are able to produce closer tolerances than have ever been possible with manual Metal Spinning equipment. On our CNC lathes we can hold tolerances of less than .030 on most dimensions. Additionally, it is possible to hold much tighter tolerances on some dimensions, depending on material type, thickness, and part geometry.

Top hat spinning...
CNC Advantage:
CNC metal spinning technology has additional benefits:
- Vastly increases production rates
- Provides consistency form first part to last
- Improves finish

Industries served
Our expertise lies in metal spinning, with this we have also been involved in products for the following industries:

AEROSPACE
AGRICULTURE
ARCHITECTURAL
BREWING
CLOCK CASES AND BEZELS
COOKING UTENSILS

DISHED ENDS
FUEL TANKS
FUNNELS
FURNISHING,TABLE TOPS AND BASES
HEATING
HOLLOWARE
HOPPERS
MARINE BUOYS
NON STOCK TUBES
PIPE REDUCERS
SHOP FITTING
SILENCERS
TANK ENDS
VACUUM CLEANERS
VENTILATION
VENTURIS
VESSELS
WHEEL TRIMS

We specialise in small quantities and prototyping.

clock case metal spinning

One we made earlier.... clock cases used in Newark Airport circa 1996...

winward engineering limited.